Principal Point of View with Eric Mersmann

Can you share a bit about your career journey and what inspired you to move from architecture to landscape architecture?

Although my career has been filled with a variety of project types—most of my work has been focused on corporate workplace design. When the pandemic slowed that industry, I took the opportunity to spend more time exploring the outdoors, and those experiences deeply shaped my perspective. Immersing myself in nature revealed how powerful landscapes are—not just as settings, but as places that restore and connect people. Landscape architecture has allowed me to blend my design background with a passion for nature, focusing on projects that are both functional and deeply rooted in their surroundings.

Who have been your biggest influences or mentors throughout your career? 

Many people have shaped my career, so it’s hard to name just one. Broadly, I’ve always been inspired by Charles and Ray Eames and their refusal to limit themselves to a single discipline. Their openness to explore architecture, interiors, furniture, photography, and more has influenced my own approach to design—staying curious, adaptable, and without boundaries.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Each day is different but typically filled with constant communication with internal and external teams, planning, coordinating, and pushing project processes forward.  Some days are mostly meetings, emails and spreadsheets, and others are sketching and working out designs with the team. 

What are some recent projects you’ve found especially rewarding or challenging?

Projects where owners are creating legacy spaces for future generations are especially meaningful. It’s very rewarding to make decisions today that will shape how their families experience and enjoy these landscapes for decades to come.

What core values guide your work and decision-making?

I value respect—for people, for the process, and for the investment our clients make. We have a huge responsibility to ensure that what we create is thoughtful, enduring, and worthy of that trust.

What excites you the most about our Hoerr Schaudt's future?

I’m excited to be part of Hoerr Schaudt’s growth and momentum. As our work speaks for itself, word-of-mouth continues to extend our reach and bring new opportunities to the studio.

Can you share something about yourself that might surprise your colleagues?

It probably isn’t a surprise anymore, but I am steadily working toward visiting all 63 U.S. National Parks—currently at 39, with a few more planned this year. This personal journey into nature has strongly influenced my career shift to landscape architecture and deepened my passion for the outdoors.

What’s a book, podcast, or resource you’d recommend to others in the industry?

A classic book that I originally discovered during my architectural education was A Pattern Language by Christopher Alexander et al. This book is a timeless resource that applies to design at every scale. It offers universal principles for creating meaningful places—whether designing a small garden or an entire city.